Fun and Games

At Everett's birthday party, we played "Don't Eat Pete!" No one in our little family had ever played it before. For those of you who have never heard of it, here's how it goes:

You start with a grid and place a piece of candy on each block of the grid. One person leaves the room while the rest of the players decide together which block will be "Pete." The player then comes back, and picks up candy, one piece at a time. If the candy is not “Pete,” the person can eat it. If the candy is “Pete,” everyone yells “DON’T EAT PETE!” and that person’s turn is over.

Since Everett was the birthday boy, he got to go first. He was able to eat several pieces of candy, and then went to pick up "Pete". Of course, everyone yelled out "DON"T EAT PETE!" Well, Everett burst into tears. Sobbing, he said "I didn't know it was Pete!" I imagine that for a little guy, a whole room full of people yelling at him would be a really scary thing.

We decided to continue the game, and asked that everyone say it more quietly. I think Lily was next and everything went fine. Then it was Gwyn's turn. It was like a replay of Everett's turn, only this time I could see that Maddie was about to erupt too. I tried to comfort Maddie before the tears came, but to no avail. I couldn't help cracking up, even while trying to comfort my wailing children. I don't think we'll be playing that game again for a while!

After that, my mom quickly sketched an awesome dragon, and we played "Pin the Fire on the Dragon." (I don't know why, but Everett recently decided that he likes dragons. He likes LARGE animals in general.) Everyone enjoyed this game.

I had a little too much fun spinning Cary. Unfortunately, turnabout is fair play, and I get dizzy much easier than he does!

Happy Thanksgiving!

(In case you're wondering, Maddie is wearing 2 pairs of underwear over her pants.)

My mom told me this one tonight at Thanksgiving dinner:

She was driving along with Everett in the backseat of her car. Everett asked if he could roll down the window. She said something about it being really cold. His response: "I want to get all colded-up because then Mama will give me hot chocolate."

Toddler Justice x 3 (or 4)

I've had to deal with ideas like these every day lately:

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If I have it in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
4. If I had it ever, it's mine.
5. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
6. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
7. If I looked at it, it's mine.
8. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it's mine.
9. If it's mine and you touch it, I will scream.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.

We're working on this issue, but it may be a long, noisy process. For now, I'm repeating "We don't scream, we talk nicely" a whole lot. Some situations are quickly and easily resolved. Others have landed someone in time out. Sometimes time out doesn't work out very well either.

Step 1: Maddie is put in the girls' room, very upset.
Step 2: Lana charges upstairs, throws open the door, and says "I help you!"
Step 3: Gwyn starts crying. "Maddie sad", she says.

I'm glad they love each other -- except maybe when "It's mine!"